Ottawa Humane Society’s Top Tips for a Safe Halloween

Oct. 29, 2025 — To make sure everyone can have a safe and happy Halloween (and avoid an unexpected trip to the veterinarian) the Ottawa Humane Society is reminding the community of the best tips to keep pets safe on Halloween.

Keep candy and open flames out of reach to prevent pets from eating toxic foods or accidentally starting a fire.

Don’t take the risk. Leave pets at home when you go trick-or-treating. Between loud noises and lots of strangers walking around in costume, even a confident pet could get easily spooked.

If you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, block off your pet from the front door to stop them from slipping out. Make sure they have a collar, tag and microchip so they can be returned home quickly if they get out.

Cats should always be kept indoors unless on a leash and harness with their owner or in the safety of a catio. On Halloween, it’s even more important to keep your cat indoors to make sure they don’t have conflicts with people.

With the right precautions, everyone can have a safe and happy Halloween.

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Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca